Freeport talking credit card acceptance

The City of Freeport will discuss accepting credit and debit cards as payment for fines, fees, charges, costs and taxes during a public hearing to be held prior to Monday’s regular City Council meeting.

The City of Freeport will discuss accepting credit and debit cards as payment for fines, fees, charges, costs and taxes during a public hearing to be held prior to Monday’s regular City Council meeting.

“I think right now you have more people using debit and credit cards and this will be an excellent way to collect on some of those things,” said At-Large Alderman Andrew Crutchfield. “Anything the city can do to collect money for different fees and fines is a good thing.”

Some examples of payments that could potentially be made as part of the system are those to departments such as building, public works, fire and community development. Also city taxes and fees for things like liquor licenses, police department administration, airport rentals and water and sewer charges could be included in the program.

“We’ve talked about doing this before but recently it has come up again,” Crutchfield said. “The public hearing is important because it is always good to hear what people have to say.”

Local restaurant owner Randy Skeens, who owns This Is It Eatery in downtown Freeport, said that he thinks the program could benefit small business owners like himself.

“It makes it a lot easier for people and would be beneficial,” Skeens said, who has run his downtown restaurant for 16 months now. “Anything beneficial for other business is a good thing.”

Currently, the city allows for electronic payments of water bills to be made online but no electronic payments are taken at city offices.

“I think the thing that I’m most excited about is being more business and user friendly at City Hall,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Shawn Boldt. “If it makes small business easier than it’s a good thing.”

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Those wishing to comment are encouraged to attend the hearing or submit a written comment to the Mayor’s Office, City of Freeport, 524 W. Stephenson Street prior to the hearing.

“It’s where the future is and we need to adapt,” Boldt said. “For some, it will be an easier way to make payments.”